Dharamsala is hopping in the morning

31 May 2009

Nightlife? What’s that? I guess it depends on which crowd you’re hanging out with, but among the locals in Dharamsala, nightlife is pretty nonexistent. In my home-stay family, we were in bed by 9:30 p.m., and up again by 6 a.m. There are bars in town, but they are filled almost exclusively with tourists. There is a club as well, called Xcite, but again, only locals who are pushing tradition will go there. Tibetan women who frequent it are looked down upon. Occasionally, you may be lucky (or unlucky, depending on how your like your sleep) to hear an Indian wedding. WIth raucous music and dancing, these affairs go well into the night. Step in and join the celebration. Besides these occasions, Dharamsala shuts down early, and gets going early.